Velocipede frame construction



G. E. BULLOCK VELOCIPEDE FRAME CONSTRUCTION Dec. 18, 1934.

Filed May 1, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 F/Gz.

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Dec. 18, 1934, a. E. BULLOCK VELOCIPEDE FRAME CONSTRUCTION Filed May 1, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Gas 5504mm g ATTORNEY Deb. 18, 1934. a. E. BULLOCK VELOCIPEDE FRAME CONSTRUCTION F'liled M y 1, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR [Es/u. ocw

ATTORNE Patented Dec. 18, 1934 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE VELOCIPEDE FRAME CONSTRUCTION Giles E. Bullock, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to E. C. Brown 00., Rochester, N. Y.

Application May 1, 1934, Serial No. 723,363 2o Claims. (01. 208-113) the frame with a single piece tubular backbone member of a large diameter in order to increase the strength thereof and permit the seat and fork support to be mounted within the tubing and also to provide a sufficient space between the seat and fork support and the inside wall of the tubing to permit electric wiring to be placed within the backbone member and extend from one end to the other end thereof.

A further object of this invention is to provide the backbone member of the frame with novel seat supporting and adjusting means.

A further object of this invention is to provide the backbone member with an extension which provides the mounting for a headlight for the velocipede.

Another object of this invention is to provide the frame with a novel platform at the rear of the backbone member and to provide a novel manner of attaching the backbone member to this platform and attaching the platform and the back member to the rear axle of the velocipede.

All these and other objects and attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent from the detailed description thereof which follows, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a velocipede embodying my novel frame construction.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the backbone member and associated parts of the frame.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the rearplatform and the portion of the backbone memher which is fastened thereto, the section being taken on the line 4H1: of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the front portion of the backbone member, the section being taken on the line 5:t-5:c of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a front elevation of the headlight provided at the front end of the backbone member,

Figure '7 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the tubular backbone member and the seat suppprt mountedtlierein', the section being taken on the lineIxkc of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view of the seat-support, the section being taken on the line 81-8: of Figure '7.

Figureiiisahorizontaisectionalviewofthe seat post and its supporting sleeve, the section being taken on the line 8H2: of Figure 7.

In the several figures of the drawings like reference numerals indicate like parts.

The velocipede which has my new and improved frame construction incorporated therein has-the general form of a tricycle which, at the front, is provided with the fork 1, supported on the front wheel 2 and operated by the handle bars 3 and which at the rear is provided with the wheelsv4, 4 mounted on the fixed axle 5. The frame construction is made up of the large tubular single piece backbone member 6 which is preferably cylindrical in cross section at the front and thruout its central body portion but is gradually flattened out at the top and bottom toward the rear end thereof to give the sides of the backbone member a rearwardly tapering form.

The backbone member is curved rearwardly and downwardly the full length thereof and its forward end is extended beyond the fork 2 into a horizontal position to provide the mounting for the headlight 7. This headlight comprises a suitable housing 8 which is mounted to or formed on the front end of the backbone extension and is provided with a suitablereflector, an electric incandescent light and a lens together with suitable switch means with which the light may be turned on and off. In view of the fact that the particular head light construction, except the combination of its housing with an extension of the backbone member, which provides the mounting for it, does not form any part of this invention, no detailed construction of the headlight is shown. The batteries for the operation of the headlight may be located in the housing 8-or placed into the backbone membenor they may be mounted in the platform at the rear of the backbone member and connected with the headlight by suitable wiring located within the backbone member as illustrated in Figure 3.

The fork 1 is swiveled in the bearing sleeve 9 which extends thru the tubular backbone memher 8 and is suitably fastened thereinto as for example by welding the joints between the sleeve and the backbone member on the inside of the backbone member. This is made possible by the use of the large diameter backbone member which permits the forming of a welded joint within the tubing without difliculty. The use of a large diameter backbone member in combination with a bearing sleeve of considerable smaller diameter also provides space between this sleeve and the inside wall 'of the backbone member which permite electric wiring to extend past the fork with in the backbone member and thus be entirely concealed and protected within the frame construction.

As above pointed out the rear end of the back bone members is gradually flattened at the top and bottom which widens this tubular member at its point of attachment to the platform 11 and to the fixed rear axle 5. The platform is formed up of sheet metal and is provided with a large semicylindrical front 12 and a smaller semicylindrical rear 13. The sides 14, 14 of the platform have the sleeves 15, 15 drawn inwardly therefrom and the rear axle 5 passes thru these sleeves and is preferably welded thereto. The flattened rear end of the backbone member projects thru a sleeved hole in the top of the platform and is anchored to the rear axle below the platform by having this axle pass thru the narrow semicircular sides of the backbone member and the sleeves 16, 16 drawn in thereon and having the axle welded thereto. In addition the backbone member is also welded to the platform 11 on the underside thereof so that the weight carried by the backbone member is supported on the rear axle by the platform by means of its sides 14, 14 which are fastened to the axle near the supporting wheels and by the backbone member itself at the point where it is attached to the middle of the axle. The rear axle can therefore support any reasonable weight carried by the backbone member without bending.

As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 considerable space is provided on the under side of the hollow platform 11 and this can be utilized for the storage of electric drycells which are connected to the headlight entirely within the frame by means of wiring 11A which is placed into the large diameter backbone member to extend from the rear end to the front end thereof.

The support for the saddle post 17 is provided by the sleeve member 18 which, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, projects thru the backbone member and comprises a sleeve formed up from fiat stock into a rectangular cross section. At the upper end the sleeve member is provided with a.

lateral enlargement which projects to one side of the backbone member and holds the nut 19 In place therein. This lateral enlargement of the sleeve provides a head on the sleeve which rests on top of the backbone member so that the lower end of the sleeve when welded or otherwise fastened on the underside of the backbone member will hold the sleeve member in place in the backbone member. A set screw 20 passes thru the outer overlapping walls of the head of the sleeve member and is threaded thru the nut 20 to engage the saddle post 17 and hold this post at any desired elevation in place in the sleeve member. This form of construction secures for the saddle post a more rigid support and provides the clamping means therefore above the backbone member instead of in the middle or below the backbone member as is the case in other velocipede constructions. Furthermore the sleeve member passing thru the large diameter backbone will leave ample space between it and the inner wall of the backbone member for the electric wiring passing thru the backbone member.

I claim:

1. A velocipede having a front wheel and a pair of rear wheels, a fork supported by the front wheel and an axle supported by the rear wheels, a hollow backbone member connecting the fork with the axle, an extension provided on said backbone member and projecting beyond said fork to provide a support for a headlight above the front wheel and a headlight mounted in said support.

2. A backbone member for a velocipede frame construction comprising a hollow member and a headlight forming a continuation of the front end of said backbone member.

3. A backbone member for velocipedes having a fork. support at the forward end thereof and an extension projecting beyond said fork support and forming a headlight support in axial alignment with the backbone member and a headlight mounted in said support.

4. A backbone member for a velocipede frame construction comprising a hollow rearwardly and downwardly curved member and a tail light formed in said hollow member in the downwardly curved portion so as to face rearwardly thereof.

5. A backbone member for a velocipede frame construction comprising a hollow member, a bearing sleeve of smaller diameter projecting thru said backbone member to provide a duct be-' tween it and the inner wall of said backbone member, a seat post supporting sleeve of small diameter projecting thru said backbone member to provide a duct between it and the inner wall of said backbone member and permit electric wiring to pass thru said backbone member from one end to the other end thereof.

6. In a velocipede frame construction the combination of a hollow backbone member, a hollow platform provided at the rear end of said back bone member and forming a receptable for electric drycells and a headlight provided at the front end of said back member and connected with said drycells by wiring passing thru said backbone member.

7. In a velocipede frame construction as set forth in claim 6 with a tail light formed in said backbone member and connected to the wiring within said backbone member.

8. A platform for velocipede frames having a rear axle, a curved flange formed at the front and rear of said platform, sides closing the ends of said flanges and having the rear axle extending therethru and fastened thereto to support the platform on the outer ends of said axle, a backbone member projecting thru said platform and supported on said axle, said platform being fastened to said backbone member to have said backbone member support said platform intermediate the ends thereof.

9. In a velocipede frame construction the combination of a hollow backbone member, a seat post supporting sleeve projecting thru said backbone member and clamping means carried by said sleeve on top of said backbone member to clamp a seat post in place in said sleeve.

10. In a velocipede frame construction having a hollow backbone member, a seat post supporting sleeve comprising a tubular member adapted to project thru said hollow backbone member, an enlarged tubular head formed on one end of said sleeve and adapted to rest against the outside of said backbone member on one side thereof, the other end of said tubular member being fastened to said backbone member at the oppo-' site side thereof to fixedly hold said sleeve in place within said backbone member.

11. In a velocipede frame construction having a hollow backbone member, a seat post support ing sleeve having a rectangular cross section projecting thru said hollow backbone member, a portion of said supporting sleeve having two opposite sides thereof expanded outwardly 'to provide a pocket to one side of said supporting sleeve, a nut held in place in said pocket and a set screw threaded thru said nut to engage the seat post passing thru said supporting sleeve and clamp it in place therein.

12. In a velocipede frame construction, the combination of a single piece backbone'member having thin walls, a fork swiveled in said backbone member near the forward end thereof, a seat post mounted in said backbone member intermediate the ends thereof, a platform at the rear end of said backbone member and an axle carried by said platform, said backbone member curving forwardly of the fork into a substantially horizontal position to support a headlight in a substantially horizontal position thereon.

13. A backbone member formed integrally the full length thereof and having thin walls, reinforcing means provided within said backbone member .at spaced points, a bearing in one of said reinforcing means and said second reinforcing means constituting a bearing for a saddle post.

14. In a velocipede frame construction, the combination of a hollow backbone member, an axle projecting through and anchored in the end of said backbone member, a platform with curved front and rear walls to enclose the axle between them, said platform having folded ends to form vertical sides for the axle to pass therethrough and support said platform.

15. A backbone member for a velocipede frame construction, the forward end of said backbone member forming an enclosure for a headlight and a head-light mounted in operative position in said end.

16. A backbone member for a velocipede frame construction, a light carried by said backbone member and a switch located in said backbone member to control the light.

17. In a velocipede frame construction the combination of a hollow' backbone member, a bearing member of smaller cross section than the backbone member and extending through said backbone member near one end thereof to have a fork swiveled therein for the support of the forward end thereof and an axle projecting through the tubular backbone member near the other end thereof for the support of the backbone member at the rear thereof.

18. In a velocipede frame construction as set forth in claim 1'1 with a platform with curved front and rear walls, said platform being fastened to said backbone member above said axle and supported on the axle at the outer ends thereof.

19. In a velocipede frame construction as set forth in claim 17 with a saddle post mounting member, said member consisting of a tube of smaller cross section than the backbone member intermediate the ends thereof and extending therethrough and permanently attached thereto.

20. In a velocipede frame construction the combination of a hollow member of gradually diminishing thickness in a substantially vertical plane and increasing width in a substantially horizontal plane toward the rear end thereof, a bearing sleeve extending through the member and adapted to receive a 'saddle post and an axle projecting through and anchored in the narrow end of said member.

21. A velocipede frame construction as set forth in claim 20 and having a platform with curved front and rear walls, said platform being fastened to the rear of said member and connected to said axle at the outer ends thereof to support the weight carried by said member at the middle and near the ends of said axle and to substantially enclose the axle.

22. A backbone member for a velocipede frame construction comprising a hollow member, a bearing sleeve for a seat support of smaller cross-section than the hollow member projecting through said backbone member to provide space between said bearing sleeve and the inside wall of said hollow backbone member.

23. In a velocipede frame construction the combination of a single piece hollow backbone member, a bearing member within said backbone member near the forward end thereof, a fork swiveled in said bearing member, a second bearing member mounted in said backbone member intermediate the ends thereof, a seat post mounted in said second bearing member and a platform attached to the rear end of said backbone member and an axle carried by said platform.

24. In a velocipede frame construction, the combination of a single piece hollowbackbone member, a bearing member within said backbone member near the forward end thereof, a fork swiveled in said bearing member, a second bearing member mounted in said backbone member intermediate the ends thereof, a seat post mounted in said second bearing member, a platform attached to the rear end of said backbone member, and an axle carried by said platform, said hollow backbone member being curved forwardly of the fork into a horizontal position to support a headlight in a horizontal position concentric thereto, and a headlight mounted in the support.

25. In a velocipede frame construction having a front fork member, a hollow backbone member curved forwardly of the fork into a horizontal position to support a headlight in a horizontal position concentric thereto, and a headlight mounted in the support.

GILES E. BULLOCK.

DISCLAIMER 1,984,916.-Gilcs E. Bullock, Rochester, N. Y. VELOCIPEDE FRAME CONSTRUCTION. Patent dated December 18, 1934. Disclaimer filed March 27, 1942, by the assignee, E. 0. Brown Company. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 1, 2,13, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 24, and-25 of said patent, and disclaims from the scope of claim 23 of said patent all structures in which the platform is not constructed of sheet metal with integral downwardly extending sides at the ends and also at the front and rear thereof and with the axle passing through and rigidly held by the downwardly extending sides disposed at the ends of the platform, and in which the backbone member is not welded to the top of the platform to constitute an integral part of said platform and the platform is not supported on the axle at the ends of the platform and at additional points between the ends thereof. [Ofiicz'al Gazette April 28, 1942.]

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